have (one's) hands full

have (one's) hands full

To be busy or completely occupied with dealing with something. I have my hands full with all these meetings today, so can I call you back tomorrow? Paula has her hands full with those kids.

See also: full, hand, have

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

have one's hands full (with someone or something)

Fig. to be busy or totally occupied with someone or something. I have my hands full with my three children. You have your hands full with managing the store.

See also: full, hand, have

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

have one's hands full

Be extremely busy, as in With the new baby she really has her hands full. [Second half of 1400s]

See also: full, hand, have

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

have your hands full

COMMON If you have your hands full, you are very busy. She's doing fine. Got her hands full with the kids, of course. The federal government will obviously have its hands full trying to enforce environmental laws while keeping residents happy. Note: You can also say that someone's hands are full. He's managing all three projects so his hands are full. Note: You often use these expressions to show that someone has many responsibilities or jobs, and does not have enough time for any more.

See also: full, hand, have

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

have your ˈhands full

be very busy: I’ve got my hands full looking after four children. ♢ You look as if you’ve got your hands full today. Would you like me to help you? OPPOSITE: have time on your hands

See also: full, hand, have

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

have one's hands full, to

To be completely occupied or very busy, to have more than enough to do. This expression dates from the fifteenth century or earlier. It appears in Thomas Malory’s Morte d’Arthur: “Ye shalle have bothe your handes ful of me.” See also plate, to have a lot/enough on one's.

See also: hand, have, to

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer